Source: Team_Talk
Mancini: Given can go in January
Roberto Mancini has told Shay Given he can leave Eastlands in January - but demanded he remains committed until the transfer window reopens.[LNB] Speaking after Manchester City's 2-0 win at Wigan today Mancini admitted he understood the concerns of Given, who said this week he was frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities.[LNB]Mancini said: "I have a lot of respect for Shay and I told him the situation before the finish of the [transfer] market. I told him. 'Shay, you can choose. I hope that you stay here but I respect your decision and if you want to leave you can.'[LNB]"He decided to stay here and until January he must stay here.[LNB]"I understand his frustration but I need that Shay stays here and puts in 100%. In January if he decides to leave I respect his decision."[LNB]Given's successor Joe Hart hardly had a shot to save all afternoon as goals from inspirational captain Carlos Tevez and Yaya Toure helped City ease to victory.[LNB]Mancini was full of praise for Tevez and said he believed his recent decision to make the Argentinian captain had breathed new life into his game.[LNB]Mancini added: "I thought about it during the summer and I spoke to Carlos about it. He is an important player and he can improve as captain and we can have more of him.[LNB]"I'm very happy for him because at this moment he probably isn't at 100% of his form. Maybe his goal can help him and it is fantastic he got it today."[LNB]For Wigan boss Roberto Martinez it was another case of defensive blunders costing his side dear with Mohamed Diame and Maynor Figueroa at fault for City's goals.[LNB]Martinez said: "We created Manchester City's best chances and that is very disappointing. In any performance the hardest thing should be to concede a goal.[LNB]"At the moment from time to time we come out with this softness in our defensive play which really lets ourselves down and puts games out of our reach.[LNB]"In defence we showed a lack of intensity. We are giving ourselves a mountain to climb to get points from games and that is what is so disappointing."[LNB]Martinez accepted Nigel de Jong may have been fortunate to stay on the pitch after two clattering challenges but he refused to seek any other excuses.[LNB]"He was lucky but it was as self-inflicted defeat," Martinez added. "I will never look at anything else other than ourselves when it is so obvious what made the difference."
